Causes of Heart Failure

Written by Liu Ying
Cardiology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Heart failure can be divided into acute heart failure and chronic heart failure. There are many causes of acute heart failure, such as acute coronary syndrome, hypertensive emergency, acute massive pulmonary embolism, right ventricular infarction, severe pulmonary hypertension, and so on. Chronic heart failure can also have many causes, for example, coronary artery disease and hypertension have become the main causes of chronic heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, and valvular heart disease can also cause chronic heart failure. Chronic cor pulmonale and high-altitude heart disease also have a certain incidence rate in China, among others.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Where to massage for heart failure?

Patients with heart failure cannot be effectively treated by massage alone; it merely serves to alleviate symptoms. It is recommended to take medication for treatment purposes. However, massaging certain acupoints can be beneficial. Massaging the Neiguan point can significantly reduce symptoms of chest tightness and pain, and also alleviate fainting. Regularly massaging the Jiuwei point, also known as the Jianjing point, can effectively relieve angina caused by heart disease.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Chronic heart failure means

Chronic heart failure refers to a condition where the heart is unable to effectively pump blood throughout the body to meet the needs of vital organs, leading to a series of clinical symptoms caused by venous congestion and arterial ischemia. Symptoms include post-activity palpitations, orthopnea, swelling of the lower limbs, and enlarged liver. This condition causes great distress to patients and requires long-term use of effective medications to alleviate chronic heart failure. Patients with chronic heart failure need to ensure adequate rest, avoid overexertion, adhere to a low-salt diet, and limit the intake of spicy and greasy foods to prevent exacerbation of heart failure.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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How is chronic heart failure treated?

Patients with chronic heart failure should avoid overexertion and ensure ample rest to prevent exacerbating the cardiac burden. Emotional upsets should be avoided as they can intensify heart failure. In terms of diet, avoid high-protein, easily digestible foods and consume more vegetables and fruits instead. Avoid overly salty foods as they contain a higher amount of sodium chloride which can increase blood volume and worsen heart failure. While treating the primary disease, efforts should be made to minimize the burden on the heart, utilizing effective diuretics to reduce blood volume and correct chronic heart failure.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Causes of acute heart failure

Acute heart failure refers to the acute onset of heart failure or an exacerbated clinical syndrome, which can present as either newly developed acute or acute decompensation of chronic heart failure. Clinically, it is commonly divided into two main categories. One category is acute left heart failure, often caused by acute decompensation of chronic heart failure, or by acute coronary syndrome, hypertensive emergencies, acute cardiac valvular dysfunction, severe myocarditis, serious arrhythmias, and peripartum cardiomyopathy. The other category is acute right heart failure, which can be caused by right ventricular infarction, acute large pulmonary embolism, and right-sided valvular heart disease.

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Written by Liu Ying
Cardiology
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Symptoms of chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure can be divided into left heart failure, right heart failure, and total heart failure. The symptoms of left heart failure primarily manifest as congestion in the pulmonary circulation, that is, a reduction in cardiac output. Patients may experience varying degrees of breathing difficulties, starting with exertional dyspnea, then orthopnea, followed by paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and eventually acute pulmonary edema. Additional symptoms may include coughing, expectoration, hemoptysis, fatigue, tiredness, dizziness, reduced exercise tolerance, and symptoms of insufficient blood supply to organs and tissues, including oliguria and kidney damage. The symptoms of right heart failure can present as gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal distension, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and also exertional dyspnea. When both left and right heart failures occur, it is referred to as total heart failure. In cases of total heart failure, symptoms of both left and right heart failures may be present.